travel that speaks to the heart
Namaste, friends! While 2020 has taken us all for the ride of our lives, I find myself ever more grateful for the unique travel opportunity I had back in November of 2019 when I joined the Nepal Trekking and Photo Tour designed by travel photographers Melissa Findley and Carmen Huter. Little did we know that…
Many traveling souls have fallen head over heels for a particular Belgian beauty named Bruges. The Flemish capital was the first stop on our epic babymoon adventure back in 2017. Little did Justin and I know that it would be the perfect place to start a trip that celebrated our marriage and our love. Allow…
Of all the countries I have visited, Spain will forever hold a special place in my heart. On my most recent trip back to the sun-kissed country I once called home, I had the pleasure of revisiting one of Barcelona’s most famous attractions: The Sagrada Familia. Join me on a digital tour of this architectural wonder. ¡Vamos! Barcelona is the…
It’s hiking season in Switzerland, and a yodel-like yahoo! escapes from my mouth at the very thought. Taking advantage of a gorgeous Saturday earlier this month, Justin and I set off from Zurich to tackle our first Swiss mountain of the year. We chose to hike Mount Pilatus, the impressively rugged peak jutting up into the Lucerne skyline. Summiting Mount…
Amongst the mishmash of urbanization along Taiwan’s west coast, a small town keeps traditions alive and has become a fascinating little travel destination. One year ago this month, I was first introduced to Taiwan with a tour of the Lukang Township, located about a 2-hour drive south of Tapei. To commemorate my GSE Trip with…
In my last post, I wrote about my recent encounter with my favorite art museum in Paris: the Musée d’Orsay. As I wandered through the museum, I snapped some photos of the works that really caught my attention so that I could share them with you here on Global Heartbeat. Of course, taking a picture of…
In the very center of Switzerland stands a little city with lots of charm: Lucerne. Spelled Luzern in German, this idyllic Swiss town is just a short train ride from Zurich, and it has just become my choice destination for a day trip from Zurich after Justin and I gladly joined our friends visiting from Orlando, Florida one autumn afternoon. With an interesting blend of…
With a culinary heritage from its Chinese, Japanese, and aboriginal ancestry, Taiwan boasts an extraordinary food culture that every world traveler must experience. From smoky barbecue squid to steamed taro cakes, gooey oyster omelets and broth with pork liver, from deep-fried sea creatures and crispy chicken to candied strawberries on a stick, the variation and creativity of…
The most popular tourist destination in all of Thailand is not a beautiful beach paradise, but rather a royal compound and spiritual haven located in the bustling city of Bangkok. The Grand Palace attracts 8 million visitors to the Southeast Asian capital each year and ranks the third most-toured royal site in the world, according…
When I was a kid, I came across an old copy of the 1982 May issue of National Geographic. Since that moment, I have never forgotten the enigmatic stone face glaring out from that magazine’s cover and the fantastical images of the jungle-run ruins of Angkor held within its pages. While planning a two week trip to Thailand, I…
Did you know that there is more to Orlando, Florida than a famous cartoon mouse, a famous orca whale, and a famous British wizard? No? Then, please, allow me to introduce you to the real Orlando in this “More Than Mouse Ears” series. First, we focused on the creative and collaborative culture emerging from DOWNTOWN ORLANDO. Today, let us survey Orlando by neighborhood to understand…
In the heart of Orlando, Florida, lies a marvelous oasis brimming with lush vegetation, winding paths, cheery birdsong, secluded gazebos, rose gardens, and one of the largest collections of camellias in the United States. With such an incredible amount of floral biodiversity, the Harry P. Leu Gardens is a paradise unto itself. In fact, this historical landmark is a local…
Wishing the world a Frohe Weihnachten with photos from the Christmas Markets of Munich! What cities do you like to visit during the Christmas holidays? Where in the world do you like to experience the Christmas spirit?
A three-week journey throughout Peru with my husband and another married couple last year was an incredible and unparalleled adventure. Our travels in this multicultural country awarded us exceptional glimpses into the lives of the marvelous people of Peru. Lima: The Capital City The Region of Cusco: The Inca Trail + Machu Picchu The Region of Cusco: Merchants + Markets The Region of Puno:…
Just behind the Djemaa el Fna of Marrakech loom the souks, a twisted maze of a marketplace where merchants sell “typical Moroccan goods”: brightly colored slippers, lavish carpets, polished wooden pieces, tea sets, ceramics, jewelry, olives and mint leaves, spices, smelling salts, and salves. Hassling and haggling are a way of life in this mercantile manor, and the average…